One in 16 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime, and each day the disease takes approximately 350 lives. What makes lung cancer so deadly? And how can we increase survival rates?
What are the Complications of Lung Cancer?
The first and most important reason why lung cancer is so deadly is that it is difficult to diagnose. We cannot see or feel our lungs, and early stage lung cancer has no symptoms, leaving many people unaware that they have the disease. When symptoms do develop, it is usually after a tumor grows large or the cancer spreads to other areas of the body, also known as metastasis.
Common respiratory symptoms of lung cancer include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain when breathing, laughing or coughing
- Repeated bouts of pneumonia or bronchitis
- Large production of mucus
- Bleeding in airways and coughing up blood
- Hoarseness or changes in voice
Lung cancer is aggressive and forms quickly, making early detection crucial for treatment to be successful.
Lung cancer can affect anyone, even nonsmokers, but most patients who are diagnosed are 65 or older. Most seniors have at least one chronic condition, and when lung cancer is added into the mix, those existing conditions and other health concerns can make treatment risky or worsen chemotherapy and radiation side effects.
“Lung cancer can affect your health in many ways. When lung cancer metastasizes, you may begin to experience symptoms outside of the respiratory system, such as bone and joint pain, swelling of the lymph nodes, jaundice, or unexplained weight loss. A lung cancer diagnosis can also have a significant impact on your mental health, but your healthcare team is a good resource for support and care. As a Pulmonologist, my goal is to educate my patients on their condition and what treatment options are available, so they can make an informed decision and achieve the best patient outcome possible.
Navigating a lung cancer diagnosis is challenging, but the pulmonary team at Trinity Medical Pulmonology are here to support you at every step.”
Next Steps
If you are concerned about the possibility of lung cancer, or if you think you may already have it, turn to the experts at Trinity Medical Pulmonology. Our lung specialists use advanced state-of-the-art technology to deliver a precise diagnosis, and will work with you to decide what treatment and care options are best for you. We are also the first healthcare system in WNY to have the Intuitive ION robotic bronchoscopy platform, a minimally invasive surgical tool that allows surgeons to collect biopsies from areas of the lung that are normally too narrow and difficult to navigate, increasing your chances of early detection.
When treating lung cancer, we take a collaborative approach to care and have a team of medical professionals working together on each case. Our specialists include medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, rehabilitation therapists, dieticians, and many more.
Taking a team-based approach offers patients the benefit of having multiple experts contribute to their care, rather than one specialist. This ensures that every aspect of your cancer care is covered, and that you get the best care possible.
Schedule a Visit with Dr. Brown
Dr. Daniel Brown is a board-certified doctor who specializes in pulmonology. Dr. Brown sees patients at 3041 Orchard Park Rd in Orchard Park, NY. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Brown, call (716) 627-8100.
